Omar Abdullah Rules Out Street Protests for J&K Statehood, Urges Peaceful Political Push

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday ruled out mobilizing public protests for the restoration of statehood, citing the risks posed by “trigger-ready” security forces. Speaking amid the recent unrest in Ladakh, he said, “In Ladakh, they opened fire within an hour. In Kashmir, they would not wait 10 minutes.” Abdullah emphasized that the demand for statehood would be pursued politically and peacefully.

“We will get our rights while abiding by law and the Constitution, but I won’t allow people to be pushed into the flames and destroyed,” he said, highlighting the potential dangers of street demonstrations.

Reflections on Article 370 and Regional Sentiment

Abdullah recalled the initial reactions to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, noting that Leh initially celebrated the move, while Kargil and Kashmir never accepted it. “Now they are saying they realised that Article 370 protected them for 70 years,” he observed, pointing to a shift in public sentiment in Ladakh over time.

Context of Recent Violence

The remarks came after violence in Ladakh on September 24, when security forces fired on demonstrators, leaving four dead and more than 80 wounded. Abdullah’s statement underscores his caution against repeating such incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

Political Stance and Governance

Omar also dismissed suggestions that Kashmiris might shift allegiance to the BJP if governance falters. Reflecting on his government formation last year, he revealed that he had resisted pressure to include the BJP in office, signaling his commitment to a politically independent path for the region.